MINI2

pbarclay · Nov 27th, 2007, 09:05 PM

Did any of you see last night's Fifth Gear. It was actually a repeat of the 3rd edition of the last series but The Gadget Show mentioned they were going to compare the Dooper and the Cooper and I caught the show on Five Life.

It all started quite promisingly: Paul (son of Russ) Swift demonstrated the amazing road holding of both cars by driving them around the track at fantastic speeds and manouevring them amazingly well. They then decided on a number of "tests" to decide whether the MINI buyer should opt for the Petrol or Diesel Cooper.

Firstly, Tom Ford and Jonny Smith were driven around the track in the back of each car to see if they could tell the difference. To stop them looking, they blindfolded both presenters, who became very sick. The presenters were able to hear the reduced rev range of the Dooper and guessed which was which. A completely meaningless test - they didn't even tell us the lap times!

Next, Tom and Jonny had to perform handbrake turns and J turns to get round a circuit as quick as Paul Swift. Tom was clearly far expert at this than Jonny - no surprise that Tom's Cooper beat Jonny's Dooper. Again, no mention of Paul Swift's best attempt in both cars.

Lastly, they examined the fuel economy during their testing: 18 mpg for the Cooper and 19 mpg for the Dooper.

It made good television for the strong of stomach but was absolutely daft! The Dooper is for real roads where smooth driving using the same torque as a Cooper S but with double the fuel economy are the order of the day. If someone gave me free fuel, tyres, insurance and road tax I would have the Cooper S Works any day of the week but that is not going to happen, even for company car drivers!

I think all motoring shows seem to have a screw loose at the moment: Top Gear seems to go from £1200 BL bangers to £150,000 Lambos completely ignoring anything in between.

KillerByte · Nov 27th, 2007, 09:33 PM

This was discussed when it was originally shown. Most people also thought it was daft.

KenL · Nov 27th, 2007, 09:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by pbarclay (original)

The Dooper is for real roads where smooth driving using the same torque as a Cooper S but with double the fuel economy are the order of the day. If someone gave me free fuel, tyres, insurance and road tax I would have the Cooper S Works any day of the week but that is not going to happen, even for company car drivers!

Spoken like a true diesel owner

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Nov 28th, 2007, 05:39 AM

Come on, this is Fifth Gear we're talking about here. They are so caught up trying to emulate Top Gear that they are even less likely than Top Gear to come up with a worthwhile conclusion to anything

Simply treat Top Gear as great entertainment and treat Fifth Gear as second rate entertainment, just don't expect either of them to come up with even remotely sensible, or accurate, conclusions

Tigger.

PS: When are they going to get rid of Vicky Butler-Henderson? Today would be a good day.

ALD0 · Nov 28th, 2007, 08:34 AM

Someone in work told me about this that the Cooper petrol was alot faster than the Cooper D, of course I had to explain a proper driver in a Diesel would be able to keep up with a Cooper even an S on the twisty roads!

Wind Diesel · Nov 28th, 2007, 08:37 AM

In Denmark:

Top Gear is most wanted - top entertainment ! Everybody ABSOLUTE LOVES it ! - Like the US series - Friends was for 10 years'

5'th gear is what the loosers watch' !

BTW: Real drivers use 6 speed gearboxes :-)

KenL · Nov 28th, 2007, 04:35 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ALD0 (original)

Someone in work told me about this that the Cooper petrol was alot faster than the Cooper D, of course I had to explain a proper driver in a Diesel would be able to keep up with a Cooper even an S on the twisty roads!

True, but what would happen if you put the same driver in an S?

If they could keep up , it would be due to the limits of the road, not the car

ALD0 · Nov 28th, 2007, 05:14 PM

LOL-There is that way of looking, at end of day I guess it's the limits of what you can do on the road

KenL · Nov 28th, 2007, 06:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ALD0 (original)

LOL-There is that way of looking, at end of day I guess it's the limits of what you can do on the road

Exactly

As long as we are all doing it safely

Nov 27th, 2007, 09:05 PM	#1
pbarclay MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hale, Cheshire Local Time: 10:15 AM Posts: 32 Offline	Fifth Gear Dooper versus Cooper Did any of you see last night's Fifth Gear. It was actually a repeat of the 3rd edition of the last series but The Gadget Show mentioned they were going to compare the Dooper and the Cooper and I caught the show on Five Life. It all started quite promisingly: Paul (son of Russ) Swift demonstrated the amazing road holding of both cars by driving them around the track at fantastic speeds and manouevring them amazingly well. They then decided on a number of "tests" to decide whether the MINI buyer should opt for the Petrol or Diesel Cooper. Firstly, Tom Ford and Jonny Smith were driven around the track in the back of each car to see if they could tell the difference. To stop them looking, they blindfolded both presenters, who became very sick. The presenters were able to hear the reduced rev range of the Dooper and guessed which was which. A completely meaningless test - they didn't even tell us the lap times! Next, Tom and Jonny had to perform handbrake turns and J turns to get round a circuit as quick as Paul Swift. Tom was clearly far expert at this than Jonny - no surprise that Tom's Cooper beat Jonny's Dooper. Again, no mention of Paul Swift's best attempt in both cars. Lastly, they examined the fuel economy during their testing: 18 mpg for the Cooper and 19 mpg for the Dooper. It made good television for the strong of stomach but was absolutely daft! The Dooper is for real roads where smooth driving using the same torque as a Cooper S but with double the fuel economy are the order of the day. If someone gave me free fuel, tyres, insurance and road tax I would have the Cooper S Works any day of the week but that is not going to happen, even for company car drivers! I think all motoring shows seem to have a screw loose at the moment: Top Gear seems to go from £1200 BL bangers to £150,000 Lambos completely ignoring anything in between.

Nov 27th, 2007, 09:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
KenL MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edinburgh Local Time: 10:15 AM Posts: 5,210 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by pbarclay (original) The Dooper is for real roads where smooth driving using the same torque as a Cooper S but with double the fuel economy are the order of the day. If someone gave me free fuel, tyres, insurance and road tax I would have the Cooper S Works any day of the week but that is not going to happen, even for company car drivers! Spoken like a true diesel owner Red/Black R56 Cooper

Nov 28th, 2007, 05:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 10:15 AM Posts: 4,512 Offline	Come on, this is Fifth Gear we're talking about here. They are so caught up trying to emulate Top Gear that they are even less likely than Top Gear to come up with a worthwhile conclusion to anything Simply treat Top Gear as great entertainment and treat Fifth Gear as second rate entertainment, just don't expect either of them to come up with even remotely sensible, or accurate, conclusions Tigger. PS: When are they going to get rid of Vicky Butler-Henderson? Today would be a good day. May 08: No longer posting on Mini2. In future I can always be contacted HERE

Nov 28th, 2007, 08:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Wind Diesel Living in my MINI dream ! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vejle Local Time: 11:15 AM Posts: 211 Offline	In Denmark: Top Gear is most wanted - top entertainment ! Everybody ABSOLUTE LOVES it ! - Like the US series - Friends was for 10 years' 5'th gear is what the loosers watch' ! BTW: Real drivers use 6 speed gearboxes :-) Heggelund&Wind Photographix-Mini Dooper R56 LiB/W - My MINI Blog

Nov 28th, 2007, 04:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
KenL MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edinburgh Local Time: 10:15 AM Posts: 5,210 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by ALD0 (original) Someone in work told me about this that the Cooper petrol was alot faster than the Cooper D, of course I had to explain a proper driver in a Diesel would be able to keep up with a Cooper even an S on the twisty roads! True, but what would happen if you put the same driver in an S? If they could keep up , it would be due to the limits of the road, not the car Red/Black R56 Cooper

MINI2

Fuel for your MINI obsession

Discuss the unique aspects of the Cooper D here

Today
Sponsors	Sponsored Links Registered members do not see Google Ads posts, they can also post messages, pictures, and classified adverts. Register your free account today and become a member of MINI2 - MINI Forum

Nov 27th, 2007, 09:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
KillerByte Skadoosh! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nottingham Local Time: 10:15 AM Posts: 9,586 Offline	This was discussed when it was originally shown. Most people also thought it was daft.

Nov 28th, 2007, 08:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
ALD0 MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chester Local Time: 10:15 AM Posts: 9,434 Offline	Someone in work told me about this that the Cooper petrol was alot faster than the Cooper D, of course I had to explain a proper driver in a Diesel would be able to keep up with a Cooper even an S on the twisty roads!

Nov 28th, 2007, 05:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
ALD0 MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chester Local Time: 10:15 AM Posts: 9,434 Offline	LOL-There is that way of looking, at end of day I guess it's the limits of what you can do on the road

Nov 28th, 2007, 06:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
KenL MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edinburgh Local Time: 10:15 AM Posts: 5,210 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by ALD0 (original) LOL-There is that way of looking, at end of day I guess it's the limits of what you can do on the road Exactly As long as we are all doing it safely Red/Black R56 Cooper

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dooper more reliable than Cooper S?	Wipeout	MINI Cooper Diesel	23	Nov 27th, 2007 08:09 AM
cooper s spoiler on dooper	smetje	2nd Gen Exterior	4	Nov 8th, 2007 07:55 PM
Cooper S on Top Gear & Fifth Gear	minigolf	MINI in the Media	11	Jan 20th, 2006 10:18 PM
Cooper S Cab versus Cooper S tin top	CHRed	MINI Cooper S	4	Oct 31st, 2004 04:03 PM
super dooper new blue cooper	EFCMini	General Discussion	15	Mar 7th, 2003 01:59 PM